What is the best order to watch the Star Wars movies?
To answer that question, it depends on your profile.
Is this your first time watching the Star Wars movies?
Do you already know the Star Wars universe?
If you don't know much about Star Wars, go for the Release order of the Skywalker saga, starting with the original trilogy, then the prequel and eventually the sequel. You can then extend it with the Star Wars Story movies.
This is the best way to avoid spoilers.
But, if you've already seen all the films, you might want to follow the order of events narrated, so that the Battle of Yavin stays at the center of the storyline. Thus, go for the Chronological order.
For a full chronological list that also includes TV shows and video games, check out the Star Wars Canon Timeline!
If you want to know more about how TV shows and video games are integrated in the timeline, check out that part below.
Release order
This is the recommended watch order for the newcomers to the Star Wars universe.Back in 1977, George Lucas launched the saga with the original trilogy. This is the perfect jump in the galaxy to begin with the main characters: Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, R2-D2 and C-3PO.
Then, the prequel trilogy released in the early 2000s' will introduce to you the origins of the Galactic Empire.
Finally, the saga ends with a bunch of new characters, like Ben Solo and Rey, in the sequel trilogy recently made by Disney.
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
- Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Pros
This is the most authentic way to experience and enjoy all the Star Wars films.
The mystery surrounding Darth Vader is not spoiled by the prequel trilogy.
Cons
The time jumps in both Rogue One and Solo movies can feel weird. But you can avoid the strangeness by watching these films after all the Skywalker movies.
Chronological order
This is the recommended watch order for those who already know the Star Wars universe.From the original threat to the peace in the galaxy and the first stones of the empire, to the rising of the First Order, this is the perfect order to follow the story of the Skywalkers, step by step.
- Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (32 BBY)
- Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (22 BBY)
- Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (19 BBY)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (10 BBY)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (0 BBY)
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (0 BBY)
- Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (03 ABY)
- Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (04 ABY)
- Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (34 ABY)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (34 ABY)
- Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (35 ABY)
Pros
The whole story is easier to follow.
Spin-offs offer some clear transitions.
Cons
The technical gap between the old movies and the recent ones is tough to see.
TV shows and video games order
TV shows and video games stories are pretty disconnected from the Skywalker saga. Since they do not reveal major plot points, you can watch a TV show or play a video game in any order you want.
Regarding the TV shows, Star Wars Resistance and Star Wars: The Bad Batch do not expand the Star Wars universe very much.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its following, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, have the most developed stories among all the video games.
Follow these links to enjoy the full list of all the TV shows and the video games.